Determining why some startups soar to monumental heights
while others crash before they’re even off the tarmac is almost impossible
without a careful analysis of each individual case. Regardless, getting any startup
off the ground will inevitably involve getting a number of difficult – but not
impossible – factors right, includingthe ability to convert a vision into
reality, take product from concept to delivery,hiring the right staff,
developing the right contacts.This article will outline the fundamental tips
that you should bear in mind when attempting to launch or grow your own startup.

Find a Mentor

Gaining advice from an entrepreneur of the founder of a more
established startup will provide you with invaluable insight into the complex world
of critical creative thinking, monetary negotiations, and emotional resolve that
is needed to compete in business. While you may initially find reaching out to
more established companies for free advice a little intimidating, if you
approach your would-be mentor with respectful humility and gratitude you may
well be pleasantly surprised atthe level of generosity you get in return. Though
the start-up and entrepreneurial community may be used to combating harsh
rejections and endless competition; it is, in the end, a community of
like-minded, ambitious individuals who can relate to one another on the level
of goals and desires. Once you’ve scored a meeting with a would-be mentor, be
sure to prepare questions that are as specific as possible. Facilitating the
development of a professional relationship with your mentor will hopefully lead
to a lasting friendship. Like all relationships, mentorships take time to
develop. Be patient, gracious and always follow up.

Developing a Network

Developing a network is a bit like finding a mentor, but in
a more diffuse and indirect way. Your network may include those who provide
advice, friendly competition, incentives, or even competitive frustration to
collectively get your gears moving in the right direction. Reach out to other
startups in your field or your area for a meet-up. While some may view this activity
suspiciously, the key is to go grassroots –start locally. The entrepreneur or
startup community in your areawill often be open to mutual learning, and
certainly mutual commiseration. So reach out, be open and reap the rewards of
projecting a positive attitude.

Finding the right people with whom to develop a network is
not easy. One way of increasing your outreach and learning the skills to run a
better business can be attending seminars and conferences about business
development, investment, the financial climate, or venture capital. These
seminars often take place in university or business environments, where it is
traditionallyeasier to develop business connections.

Become an Expert

As an entrepreneur, you’re also going to be a problem
solver. You have alreadydiscovered an issue, shortcoming or need in your field,
and are filling that void with your business creativity. In order to sell
yourself as a solution-oriented inventor you must develop a reputation for
authority. In other words, do not expect a half-thought-out business plan to
lead you down the path of success. Robust preparation, rigorous research, and
experience in your field areinvaluable whether you are launching a new app or
opening a self-serve ice cream shop.

Know your own
Weaknesses—and Find a Team that Will Help

A good businessman is not born, but forged over time.
Recognition of one’s weakness in business – be it a shy exterior, a tendency to
jump in without thinking through consequences, or the desire to develop all
facets of the business at once – is a key component of business survival. You
will not automatically fail if you have a business flaw, but you will flounder
if you believe you have none. Once you’ve identified your shortcomings, it is
essential that you surround yourself with people who – while imperfect
themselves – will complement your skills and make up for your deficiencies. Commonly
quoted advice from the business world suggests hiring people who are smarter
than you. While this may not always yield positive results, it is important to
hire people who you know will fill the gaps in your skill set.

The Right Tools

You do not need to run out and buy the latest gadgets on the
market to furnish your office. In fact, it’s probably best that you don’t
diminish your funds with impulse buys, no matter how impressive they may seem
from the outside. It will never be the brand of your smartphone or the size of
your laptop that will determine your businesses success, but having the right
tools will lend a level of professionalism, polish and confidence to your work.
‘Dressing for the job you want’should not only apply to your personal style and
hygiene, but should be taken as a metaphor for projecting to others the success
that you hope one day to accomplish. Investing
in an innovative business tool -- like an ultra-thin and powerful Lenovo ultrabook with an HD display and Dolby
sound or a highly responsive Samsung tablet-- will give you that air of
confidence and control that any new business owner should hope to
embody.

Now go ahead and put your new startup on the road to
success! Remember that perseverance and patience are just as important as
ambition and drive, so buckle up and prepare for a long ride.